Tonight, Oct. 31, we will NOT have normal Wednesday evening activities. We will resume next week, November 7.
Carolyn passed away early this morning. (She is Vivian's sister - she often played the piano here when she was in town.) Please join me in praying for her, Vivian, and the rest of the family in this difficult time. Pray especially that they would find dignity and peace and that they would cherish their memories of Carolyn.
This week at church we celebrate All Saints Day - a time to remember, give thanks for, and pray with those who have gone before us. This week we especially celebrate this line from the Apostles' Creed: "We believe... in the communion of the saints." Sunday is an Easter celebration - I hope you will join us for joyful worship.
In this email I offer several prayers. Join me in praying them and your own. The people in our congregation and in our world are in need of much prayer (and much action!). Lord, have mercy.
May the grace, mercy, and peace of God be with you all,
Matt
ps - technically All Saints Day is Nov. 1, but we celebrate it the Sunday following, Nov. 4 this year.
The US midterm elections are coming up and this country is deeply divided - some have even described this time as a "cold civil war." I offer here some prayers that might be helpful to us in these troubling times (the following prayers have been taken directly from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer). I leave these prayers here another week as we approach the elections:
Let us pray
For an election: Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers
and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives;
that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of
all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your
purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Sound Government: O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we
may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to
other nations of the earth.
Lord, keep this nation under your care.
To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors
of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative
authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their
duties.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our
laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and
foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to
fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding
and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and
justice served.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to
accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they
may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for
the well-being of our society; that we may serve you
faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name.
For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as
head above all. Amen.
In the face of recent acts of violence and hatred in the news recently, I offer these prayers:
Let us pray for our enemies:
O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love
our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth:
deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in
your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Social Justice: Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so
move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the
people of this land], that barriers which divide us may
crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our
divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In Times of Conflict: O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us,
in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront
one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work
together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Here are some prayers to pray for those who are grieving loss and a prayer for someone who has passed away:
Let us pray
A prayer for those who grieve:
Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of comfort: Deal graciously, we pray, with all who mourn; that, casting all their care on you, they may know the consolation of your love and that they might walk through the valley of the shadow of death into the joy of hope, given in the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for those in shadow:
Jesus our savior, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, look with pity upon those who suffer in shadow; may your everlasting light burn in and around them, that they might find hope in the midst of gloom, uncertainty, and fear.
A prayer for the sick - attributed to St. Augustine:
Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest your weary ones. Bless your dying ones. Soothe your suffering ones. Pity your afflicted ones. Shield your joyous ones. And for all your love's sake. Amen
A prayer for someone who has died:
Deliver your servant, [Name], O Sovereign Lord Christ, from all evil, and set them free from every bond; that they may rest with all your saints in your presence, awaiting the resurrection; where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, for ever and ever.
Depart, O Christian, out of this present world;
In the Name of God the Father Almighty who created you;
In the Name of Jesus Christ who redeemed you;
In the Name of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you.
May you rest this day in peace, as you await the resurrection from the dead and the renewal of all things. Amen.
Wednesday Night Schedule for the next several weeks:
October 31, NO WEDNESDAY ACTIVITIES November 7, Women's & Men's studies.
November 4 - 11
Family Promise
We are hosting Family Promise Nov. 4-11. Donations of specific food items, money, and time are always needed. There will be more information on Sunday about what we still need.
Week 16, Telling the Old Testament Story - EXILE
The LAST WEEK of the Telling the Old Testament Story series - week 17. This sermon explores several of the tensions in the story and some of the ways we need to confess and repent. For more information about the icon displayed as part of the sermon, see trinitystores.com/artwork/captive-daughter-zion
A 5 Minute Sermon on Mark 8:22-10:52
Join us for worship - Sunday mornings at 10:30
Join us for worship - Sunday mornings at 10:30
2340 N. Hayden Rd.
480-949-9494
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